Online retail giant Amazon has announced plans to open a new centre in London where it will design and develop its next generation of TV and film services.

Amazon is to open a new centre in London (Picture: PA)

The US company announced plans to open its Digital Media Development Centre in the capital this week, claiming it was the ‘obvious choice’ as it looks to develop a range of interactive digital services for TV, phones and computers.

Situated nearby to Old Street’s TechCity, the new centre will house development teams from two UK media companies acquired by Amazon last year.

Amazon spokesman Paula Byrne said: ‘London is a hotbed of tech talent and testament to that fact is Amazon choosing the capital as the location for the new global digital media development centre.

‘Innovation is part of the Amazon DNA and we are creating a British centre of excellence to design and develop the next generation of TV and film services for a wide range of digital devices.’

Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: ‘I am thrilled to welcome Amazon’s fantastic new international digital centre to London.

‘For this wildly successful and dynamic company to choose our city to site such an important facility is a splendid feather in our cap.

‘We know we have the talent, the space and infrastructure to make the most of the digital economy – this will be my prime message during Games-time, as I seek to woo even more companies for the capital, delivering jobs and growth for Londoners.

‘Amazon’s investment propels us well up the league table of global tech cities and we thank them for their vote of confidence.’